Surfing Sunday 10.28

I’ve been blogging since 2002, and even though I’m taking a (necessary) break from posting regularly, I still think of myself as a blogger. It’s been an amazing sixteen years that has brought me and my family incredible experiences, but the thing I will ALWAYS value the most is the relationships I’ve made. If it wasn’t for those relationships, we never would have had so much support when Maddie died. Our friends (both IRL and virtual) rallied around us and carried us when we couldn’t stand.

One of those friends was Rebecca Woolf. Bec and I met at a local blogger even in LA when Maddie was a baby and she was pregnant with her oldest daughter, Fable. Becca and her husband, Hal, were there for us when Maddie passed away. In the years we’ve been friends, Becca and Hal added twin daughters to their family (bringing their total to three girls and a boy), while Mike and I added Annie and James. Bec wrote beautifully and honestly about their lives in LA, and I felt lucky to call her my friend.

Yesterday, four months after being diagnosed, Hal died of pancreatic cancer. To say I’m devastated for them is an understatement. Hal was an amazing person, but an even more amazing father. His four kids will now grow up without their dad’s tremendous presence, and it’s so unfair. Bec will now go through life without her partner, and I just cannot imagine how overwhelmed with sorrow she must be today. My heart is broken for my friend and her beautiful family. Some friends started a GoFundMe to help with their expenses, because no one should have to worry about how to pay their bills when they’re burying their spouse.

11 Comments

Thank you so much for sharing this Heather. I’ve really enjoyed her blog though it’s been a little while. They built such an incredible family and I loved reading about their adventures. I’m just crushed for her and the kids. ?

jocelyn says:

i found both you and rebecca through momversation years ago, which i watched because i’d been following dooce for years and she’d post her momversation videos on her blog. i saw rebecca’s posts about hal a few months ago. my heart breaks for her and her family.

Toni says:

Steph says:

Thank you for sharing the link for the gofundme for Rebecca’s family so more people can help. Although I don’t know her in real life, I’ve enjoyed following her since before the twins were born on her blog and now instagram. I also enjoyed her book. Her writing always seems so honest and compassionate. I’m so very sorry for the tragic loss of her husband, Hal. Much love to all.
p.s. also thank you for the picture of the adorable baby.